| You Only Live Twice | ||||
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| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | July 1967 | |||
| Recorded | April 1967 | |||
| Length | 34:12 | |||
| Label | United Artists | |||
| Producer | John Barry Lukas Kendall(2003 Reissue) | |||
| John Barry chronology | ||||
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| James Bond soundtrack chronology | ||||
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| Singles from You Only Live Twice | ||||
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| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
You Only Live Twice is the 1967 soundtrack for the fifthJames Bondfilm of the same name. It was composed by Bond veteranJohn Barry. At the time, this was his fourth credited Bond film. The theme song, "You Only Live Twice", was sung byNancy Sinatra, the first non-British vocalist of the series, with music by Barry and lyrics byLeslie Bricusse. The soundtrack has previously been available in two versions on CD – the first, a straight reissue of the LP soundtrack, and the second, an expanded reissue including several previously unreleased tracks. The film soundtrack was recorded at CTS Studios, London. It debuted on the top 40 of theBillboard 200 album chart on 19 August 1967, and went up to 27.[2]
An earlier version of the filmYou Only Live Twice's theme song, also entitled "You Only Live Twice", with a similar arrangement and lyrics but different melody (and without the distinctive cascading strings), sung by an uncreditedJulie Rogers, was included in theJames Bond 30th Anniversary 2-CD boxed set, cited as a "demo". Rogers never thought it was a demo, but a finished version for the film.[3][4] After this version was recorded, the producers sought outNancy Sinatra for the vocal andJohn Barry re-orchestrated the song to suit her range.[5] An alternative example of thetitle song (also called "You Only Live Twice" and sung byLorraine Chandler) can be found on compilations such asRare, Collectable, and Soulful Vol. 2.[6]
Tracks 13 to 19 were added later, as a bonus, to the complete version of the original soundtrack upon its digitally remastered CD rerelease.
"Twice Is the Only Way to Live" was the final track on the soundtrack's original UK version. It was also included on theUnited Artists soundtrack compilationTen Golden Years (1968). On certain releases of theYou Only Live Twice soundtrack album, the "007 Theme" is included. It is heard within the film whenLittle Nellie is being constructed and continues to play until three or fourSPECTRE helicopters encounterJames Bond (Sean Connery), at which point the music changes to the "James Bond Theme". Giving the score a Japanese flavour, John Leach played thekoto in the film,[7]
Nancy Sinatra recorded arecord chart version of "You Only Live Twice" forReprise Records that was arranged by guitaristBilly Strange who released several records ofcover versions ofJames Bond musical themes.Lee Hazlewood felt Barry's lush instrumental backing was not suitable for a chart single. On the Reprise version, Sinatra's voice isdouble tracked giving not only an unusual sound but apun on the title.[8] The record was released with a cover ofJohnny Cash andJune Carter's "Jackson" performed by Nancy Sinatra andHazlewood.
Little Anthony & The Imperials recorded acover version of the song forUnited Artists Records. It appeared on their 1967 albumMovie Grabbers on the label's Veep Records subsidiary that year, and was released as a single from that album.
Soft Cell's cover of "You Only Live Twice" was the B side to their single "Soul Inside" in September 1983 from their albumThis Last Night in Sodom.
Propellerheads' cover of Barry's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" withDavid Arnold from the 1997 albumShaken and Stirred: The David Arnold James Bond Project also incorporates, in its full 9-minute version, "Capsule in Space" as a central segue.
The theme "Kronos Unveiled" from the score ofPixar's 2004 filmThe Incredibles bears a close resemblance to the track "Capsule in Space" (reprised in "Soviet Capsule"), while the film's trailer had used Barry's originalOn Her Majesty's Secret Service theme.
The 2011 single "Bright Lights Bigger City" byCeeLo Green from the albumThe Lady Killer samples a part of the instrumental of "You Only Live Twice".
"You Only Live Twice" appeared at the end of the 2012fifth seasonMad Men episode "The Phantom".
